Learn about skin cancer

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the world. It is usually caused by unsafe or excessive exposure to the sun’s UV rays, which penetrate and damage the skin over time.

Cancerous lesions are likely to appear in places exposed to (UVA and UVB) the sun more often such as the face, neck, back and limbs. It is most common in people over the age of 50, but anybody can be affected.

The diagnosis rate for all forms of skin cancer is increasing, but it is recognised that non-melanoma skin cancers are still underreported in official statistics, masking the true scale of its prevalence.

Skin cancer is one of the most treatable forms of cancer, with a very good recovery rate. However, public awareness of the symptoms of skin cancer is currently low, meaning opportunities for vital early detection can be missed.

‘Skin cancer’ refers to several different forms of the condition, each of which has different symptoms, treatments and severity.